Upon surveying the massive construction scene in Arlington, VA, British Field Marshal Sir John Dill, chief of the British military delegation in Washington replied to General George Marshall, “George, I’m speechless. This is the most fantastic operation I have ever witnessed. It’s unbelievable” (The Pentagon, Steve Vogel). The Pentagon is a military complex like no other, an engineering marvel. Construction on the Pentagon began on September 11, 1941 exactly 60 years to the day before the infamous 9/11 attacks. It was a bold plan proposed by Brigadier General Brehon B. Sommervell, the chief of the Army Construction Division and supported by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who could foresee America’s armed services growing, making a central command center essential(Building the Pentagon). Built just before the United States’ entered into WWII, the headquarters was constructed in 17 months, costing over 75 million dollars(The Pentagon). The Pentagon one of the largest and most interesting office buildings in the world. Today, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. stands the Pentagon: a five-sided concrete and steel building, an institution which houses the United States Department of Defense, and a Symbol of America’s military strength.
In 1941, as war was approaching, the United States needed to be organized and have a central area for the war department. With the approval of President Franklin Roosevelt, General Brehon Somervell, head of the Army’s Construction Division, decided to construct the Pentagon(Building the Pentagon). This five-sided building would house the war department and later become the nervous system for the United States military (History.com). First, The Pentagons’ construction started on September 11, 1941. It was created clockwise and because the need for staff was so great each section was occupied as soon as it was finished.(Historical Office). Because of the shape of the land at the original site chosen, the Pentagon would require an asymmetrical design.(History.com). But, protest arose because the new military complex would be built too close to the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and it would also block the view of Washington, D.C.(The Pentagon). The Pentagons’ construction was then moved about a mile downriver and the new site now allowed for a symmetrical shape.(History.com). The first employees moved into the building in April, 1942, and construction was completed in February, 1943. The Pentagon has provided space for as many as 35,000 during the war and between 20,000 and 25,000 personnel in recent times.(The Pentagon) On October 05, 1992, the Pentagon was added to the National Historic Landmarks Program(). Interestingly, the Pentagon was never intended to be a permanent headquarters for the War Department. President Roosevelt stated, “So, I hope that this new building, when this emergency is over, will be used as a records building for the government” (Arlington Public Library).
The pentagon is the center of the nation’s’ armed forces; it is the largest government institution, and finally it was the war department. The pentagon helps keep the US safe from terrorist and other threats to the nation it serves. “It is here that the President and the secretary of defense exercise worldwide command and control of the country’s armed forces”(History Office). Along with housing the different branches of the military, the pentagon holds the intelligence parts of the branches. “This includes the intelligence branches of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Airforce and the Defense Intelligence Agency, all of which belong to the Intelligence Community.’(“Pentagon.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 19 June 2013) Orders are sent from the pentagon to the armed forces to tell them what to do and where to go. The pentagon is the largest government building which houses the office of the secretary of defense, and the joint chiefs of staff.(Central intelligence agency). Finally, at one time, the pentagon was home to the war department for the United States of America from 1942-1947(Historical Office). At this time WWII was raging on with no end in sight and the US needed somewhere to house the war department until the war was over. In conclusion, the pentagon is an important establishment which houses the offices of those who lead our armed forces. Without the pentagon the war department would have been separated and made it harder to communicate back and forth with.
The pentagon is a symbol of the United States’ military power and of its status in the world. The pentagon shape and what it is used for is a symbol of the United States’ power and military strength. Along with being a symbol of power it is also the nervous system of the US military. The pentagon stands as the United states military’s central command. Without the pentagon the military would be unorganized and would not be able to function as well as they do. The military needs to have a headquarters to function well in high stress situations such as terrorist attacks, and in times of war. When high stress situations come up, those who work at the pentagon can communicate faster and work to get a solution. On September 11, 2001, exactly 60 years after it was built, the Pentagon was attacked by airplanes hijacked by terrorists and killed 184 people, only 120 of those who died worked at the Pentagon (Smithsonian.com). The Pentagon is the brain of the military, since it controls all of the different branches in the US military.
In conclusion the pentagon is one of the United States’ most important buildings. It is an institution that housed the war department and now houses the Army, Navy, Marines, and the Air Force. Finally, the pentagon is a symbol the US’ power and military strength. The pentagon shows all three attributes through protecting the country it serves, by collection information on other countries that might want to attack the US. and thirdly it is an engineering marvel that is a symbol of this nation.